Antibodies

cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is a Ser/Thr protein kinase that is highly conserved between species. Three distinct catalytic (C) subunits have been identified, designated C-alpha, C-beta and C-gamma, where C-alpha and C-beta are most closely related. PKA mediates a variety of diverse cellular responses (cell growth and proliferation, ion transport, triglyceride storage and metabolism regulation, embryonic development, and gene transcription) in virtually all eukaryotic systems via phosphorylation of a wide range of downstream target proteins in both they cytoplasm and nucleus.

CAS9 is a novel DNA-cutting enzyme that is the main component of an intrinsic DNA editing system used by bacteria to kill attacking viruses. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) are distinct features of most bacterial genomes, and thought to be involved in resistance to bacteriophages. CRISPR is a primitive immune system of sorts that determines resistance specificity, as published by the Danisco Corporation in Science¹.

Check out some of the spooky protein names as we approach Halloween in our Scary Protein Name Infographic. Learn about their function, gene name, molecular weight and subcellular location. Featured proteins in this infographic include: SCARE1, DEAD Box Protein 60, Spo Spook, BAT3, BOO and GST. Happy Halloween!

Novus Biologicals offers research reagents mentioned in this post including:

The Interleukin 2 Receptor alpha and beta chains, along with the common gamma chain, comprise the high affinity IL2 receptor(IL2R) that is present on both mature activated T- and B-cells, as well as early progenitors of T- and B-cells (thymocytes, pre B-cells, and T-regulatory cells). Formation of homodimeric alpha chains (IL2RA) results in a low affinity receptor, while homodimeric beta chains (IL2RB) produce a medium affinity receptor. IL2RA is normally an integral membrane protein, but a soluble IL2 Receptor alpha has been isolated and appears as the result of extracellular proteolysis.

What is CD8?

The LAG3 protein belongs to the Ig superfamily and contains 4 extracellular Ig-like domains (D1-D4). This molecule plays an key role in the immune response through negative regulation of T-cell proliferation, function, and homeostasis. It is required for maximum natural and induced regulatory T-cell function. LAG3 is closely related to the T-cell co-receptor CD4, and like CD4, binds to MHC class II molecules - but with a significantly higher affinity. It is expressed exclusively in activated T- and natural killer (NK) lymphocytes.

TNF alpha is a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor superfamily. It is involved in the regulation of a wide spectrum of biological processes: cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, inflammation, lipid metabolism, and coagulation. TNF alpha has been implicated in a variety of autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis), insulin resistance, septic shock, and tumor metastases related to cancer.

The type I transmembrane glycoprotein EpCAM is a monomeric membrane glycoprotein that is expressed on most epithelial cell membranes as well as on a variety of epithelial carcinomas. It contains an extracellular domain with two epidermal growth factor-like extracellular domain repeats adjacent to a cysteine-poor region, along with a transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. EpCAM is a powerful tool for the detection of circulating and disseminated cancer cells (CTCs/DTCs) in blood and bone marrow, and it is the most commonly used epithelial marker to capture CTCs/DTCs.

The B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) is a complex multimeric aggregate that includes the following key noncovalently-bound components: antigen-specific surface immunoglobulin (Ig), CD79a (Ig-alpha), and CD79b (Ig-beta). BCR signaling is a pivotal pathway in tumorigenesis. The CD79 signaling subunits are essential for proper B-cell development, maintenance, and activation. Both are transmembrane proteins with extended cytoplasmic domains containing immunoreceptor tyrosine activation motives (ITAMs).

The products of MHC genes are antigen-presenting molecules (APMs) designed for antigen fragment (peptide) presentation to the T-cell receptor. In particular, MHC Class I molecules play a key role in the immune system by presenting endogenously synthesized peptides derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen to CD8+ T-lymphocytes, which are usually cytotoxic T-cells. MHC Class I antigens are heterodimers consisting of one 44kD highly polymorphic alpha chain non-covalently complexed with an invariant 11.5kD beta2-microglobulin subunit.